davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

l knew it placed me in one of the groups.
l felt uncomfortable, for l was lightly
dressed and did not know whether there
was any danger ahead. But, then, the
people around me appeared to have no
fear A few, with true Dutch calmness,
were quietly smoking their pipes, and
many women, and even boys and girls.
were there, carrying spade or ak as well
as any. Everything was done orderly
and with as little noise as possible. Soon
our group was ready; squad of soldiers
took the lead, and off we went. On the
way learned that rise of the water had
weakened portion of the dyke, then in
repair; it had sunk little by little, giving
way to the constant pressure of the water,
and at last portion of more than fifty
yards had crumbled down.
Though there were women and chill
dren among us, we kept up fast pace.
Soon we reached the ramparts, where
the water stood already over foot high.
They had, in the nick of time, built a
temporary wall across the city gate; it
was but loosely made of earth and few
cross-beams, and the water, which al
ready covered the land between the
ramparts and the dyke, was pressing
hard against it, The officers gave us no
time to rest; presently we stood on the
broken part of the dyke, filling the gap
with earth and stones. Happily the
water was calm, though steady breeze
rather increased the possibility of large
breakdown. We were in the water to
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

our very hips, and queer sight it was.
Squads of soldiers, nothing but their
blue jackets sticking out of the water,
were working in matter of-fact way.
Groups of laborers were digging as
quietly as if they were working on a
dry farm, instead of on the banks of an
OVERLOOKING river. Close to me, a young
dandy, whom the alarm-bells seemed to
have called away from dancing-party,
stood with a pickaX in his hand, while
the tails of his dress-suit were floating
behind him, giving him the appearance
of riding on the surface of the water.
Suddenly load of stones was thrown
off the dyke. Down they came with a
clash, making big wave which almost
lifted me off my feet. When the
water was quiet again, nothing
more was visible of the dandy but his
silk hat, while was almost scared at
beholding in his place woman, who, to
be freer in her motions, had actually
lifted her petticoats over her head, and
was already covering the stones with
earth in manner which showed that she
had been there before. Every now and
water, while others climbed 20 the top of
the dyke, cold, wet all over and weary.
About an hour had passed, when cry
was raised: "The students! The yacht
club" For moment all hands rested
and cheer was given to greet them.
There they came, in sloops and canoes,
ten, twenty, hundred. more and more,
rowing with all their might their crafts,
which covered the river in its whole
width. The yacht club and the col
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

little band. The gold hunters fought
with desperation, but the dusky devils
triumphed.
One of the whites, badly wounded and
overlooked when the red victors went
over the field, made his way back to
camp. A horrid sight presented itself.
Dead bodies lay everywhere. Then, and
not until then, did the truth illuminate
his mind. The lone Indian had only
played his part. The story of the gold
country had divided the camp. Spectral
gold had done its work, and the mans
eagerness to become rich at one swoop
had scored another savage victory.
One might fill volumes with stories of
lost gold mines. 1t is an interesting
theme. There is about it that which en-
chains ones attention and holds him to
the close. own that | have lost more
than one good nap among the mining
towns over these narratives of wealth
that does not exist, or if it exists will
never gladden. the eyes of man. Every
gold country bristles with spectral mines
which have proven fatal ignSs fatuus to
countless scores of wealth hunters. Min
ing camps have been depopulated by wild
stories of riches which have no founda-
ton in truth.
1t would be difficult to tell from whence
these rumors spring. 1t is enough to
know that they have an existence wher
ever the miner has built his shanty and un-
packed his mule. The trails to them are
strewn with the bones of as brave men
as ever shouldered pick or staked off a
claim. Their thirst for wealth has led
them on and on after some Lost Cabin
mine, until they persisted miserably, and
IL al, =
venturers.
Somewhat in keeping with the stories
of lost gold mines are the narratives of
have been explored with pick and shovel
in the vain search for the treasures of
Kidd and Blackboard. If those doughty
buccaneers ever buried any of their ILL
gotten spoil it has never come to light,
and the continued search of the credu-
lous keeps alive an interest in spectral
gold. 1t is believed by some that certain
spots of the bleak New England coast
were made the hiding places for vast
treasures by the redoubtable Kidd, who
plundered without mercy,
As he sailed, as he sailed.
Legends have invested some of the
most beautiful hooks of "Cape Cod and
alongshore" with thrilling interest.
Captain Kidd's spectral gold has called
forth good deal of manual labor under
a watery moon, or by lantern light. The
mountains of the far West have their
gold legends as well as the Eastern coasts.
Lost gold mines continue to lure the
miner to doom, and although never
found the camp is seldom without some
person who knows "just where they are"
They always lie ready to yield their
treasure with little labor; they have been
abandoned years before by their discov-
erers, who deserted them just when they
were about to give up their secret. Such
is the usual story. Is it wonder that
men break camp and go off on these wild
trails; that they desert their comrades
and face unseen dangers, stealing away
deeper and deeper. into terra incognita,
led on by the fiend of spectral gold to
join at last, unseen and unwept, the
silent majority? T. G. HARBAUGH.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
A DECAYING WORKSHOP.
How the Manufacturing Interests of Eng
land are Lessening.

How the Manufacturing Interests of Eng
land are Lessening.
The business of England is to import
raw materials, work them up into manu-
featured goods and export the finished
product. Her natural advantages for main
tanning the function of being the work
shop of the world are her stores of iron
and coal the system of land monopoly,
which is the cornerstone of her aristo
cratic system of government, tends
to restrict the energies of her
population to mechanical pursuits,
thus insuring an abundant supply of
cheap labor. Being dependent upon
other countries for necessary supplies of
raw material, abstention from import du-
ties is her obvious policy; the protection
of the government to industrial interests
is, however, extended by means of an
elaborate and generous system of subsi-
dies for the development of shipping
facilities to all parts of the world.
Moreover, the foreign policy of the gov
eminent has always for its object the
advancement of British trade. To that
end wars of conquest and all sorts of
interferences in the affairs of weak ma
tions are continually going on.
The commercial supremacy of Great
Britain is so firmly established that she
keeps well ahead of competitors in sup
ply, but the development of home indus
tries is at present causing her great I'M
easiness. The London Times recently
devoted an article to the subject, in
which it was stated that the effect of
protective duties levied by Italy had
hat D-.t oh
firms have found it advisable to transfer
some of their capital and skill to North
Italy and to enter into partnership with
Italians" The growth of native manu-
features in Japan is also referred to. There
are now twenty-one cotton mills in that
country, ranging in capacity from 1900
to $4,000 spindles, and the number is so
rapidly increasing that English cotton
Japanese may be able to supply their
own market, "but also gain to consid-
cradle extent the market of China" The
Japanese are now manufacturing not
only cotton fabrics, but silk dress goods,
carpets and rugs, glassware, copper and
brass wares. In fact, 'the manufacture
in the European style of almost every
article required for personal or house
hold use is being engaged in by home
makers"
What makes this development of ma
tive industrial competition particularly
severe is the general adoption of the pro-
tective policy the world over. Even
England's own colonies have fallen in
with the movement in spite of warnings
as to the burdens imposed upon con-
sumers by thus restricting the supply of
cheap British goods. They reply that
the interests of consumers cannot be sep
arated from those of producers and man
ufacturers, and that it is better for the
general interest of the community that
home industry shall be developed even
at the risk of enhanced prices. 1t is poor
consolation to British manufacturers to
know that such doctrines are not con-
sidered orthodox by their political econ
OmiSts.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
HOLLAND DYKES.
HOw THE WATER Is KEPT FROM
DELUGING THAT LAND.
A Familiar Scene in That Country of
Heavy Fogs-Railways and Roads Built
Along These Embankments - Citizens
Awakened in the Night by Cannon Shots.

My business once called me to little
town i'll southern province of Holland,
which had been fortress, and parts of its
huge earthen ramparts are still standing.
1t is situated at about one meter below the
level of the sea on the banks of a mighty
river, which is formed by the Rhine and
the Mouse, and whose waters, broad and
deep, flow at distance of a few hundred
yards from the city gate. On either side
of the river large dykes protect the land
against foundations. To any one
who has seen them the story of a
schoolboy preventing an inundation by
stopping hole in dyke with his finger
and holding it there till he got assistance
appears ridiculous. These dykes are so
broad and massive that they are used for
highways-in fact, in Holland all the rail
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
AN INTEMPERATE DOG.
How an English LabOrer was Fined fol
Keeping a Vicious Brute.

heeplnS vicious brute.
At Solihull Police Court, near Birming-
ham, England, John Bonner, a laborer was
summoned for keeping a savage dog without
having it under proper control. Police Con
stable Raven stated that on the day in ques-
ton he saw the defendants dog, common
lurcher, in the street. Numerous complaints
had been made about the dog, which was q
perfect terror to the neighborhood, and de-
PENDANT was keeping it for some poachers
who were in trouble.
Defendant-The dogs all right until people
give him drink. On the day he bit the man
some one had given him quart of beer and
when he's drunk he's always savage.
Mr.. Chattock-Do you mean to say that
the dog gets drunk?
DISADVANTAGES SIR People are always
making him drunk. He's very fond of q
drop of beer.
DR.. Kimbell-(to the defendant)- Are you
in the habit of giving the dog beer
Defendant-NO, sir; but people in the pub
lie house are, for it always makes him like to
bite people.
The bench ordered the defendant to keep
the dog under proper control, and to pay the
costs.-Dublin Freeman.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

legians of the neighboring city had
manned their boats at the news of the
disaster, and now came in a body to our
assistance. Brave fellows they were,
and well disciplined. In an instant they
had left their crafts, and, in their light
rowing-suits, jumped into the water.
With their assistance the gap in the
dyke was soon filled, little canals
were dug to let the water flow off
the land before the ramparts, and at
daybreak the civilians were al
lowed to go home, only the soldiers
being retained to finish the work. On
the way back to the town you could see
people wringing the water out of their
clothes, while none had as hard work to
reach home as the peasant girls, who, with
their several petticoats and crinolines all
wet, afforded pitiable, but very ludi-
crous sight. The public-houses were
crowded with men drying themselves, to
do which they mostly used gin and water.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

In the street near the ramparts few
fire-engines were playing to get the
water off the pavement, and noticed
some old ladies spanking their children,
probably for having gone to the dyke In
a new suit of clothes, and coming homo
without much more than a hat and 3
handkerchief In the morning every
body was at his daily work again,
for such foundations happen frequently,
and this was but little one, they told
me, there having been no wind to raise
the water. In some very low parts of the
country the people keep suits of oilcloth
ready for the emergency, while in every
town or village situated near a river
and in Holland most towns area cannon
is constantly kept ready loaded to give
the alarm as soon as the mayor of the place
thinks it necessary. DAN DoRE.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

wherep Jumped out of bed and began
dressing, but had hardly done so when
the church bells began ringing. Then,
again a cannon shot-another one, two,
three. rushed out of the room, down
the stairs. Meeting waiter asked him
what had happened. "Why, sir, don't
you hear the guns? The dyke is broken"
and away he ran. Coming down
stairs, l saw the street crowded with
beating little alarh-gongs. The bells
were still ringing, while in the sol
diers' barracks they were beating the
drums. Officers were busily dividing the
people in groups of 100 each, and
providing them with spades, sledge-
hammers, wheelbarrows, ropes and
chains. Each group, when counted and
armed, was marched off to the river. /
had hardly arrived in the street but an
officer put spade in my hand, and before
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
AN IMPORTED PRESIDENT.
A Paris Newspaper Man Made Ruler of the
State of COunanf.

State of Counani.
The new State of Independent Guiana, or
Counani, has come into existence in a man.
ner more suggestive of passage from one of
Jules Verne's tales than as an episode of
contemporary history. This territory, lying
on the borders of Brazil and French Guiana,
or Cayenne, was the subject of negotiations
between the two governments as far back as
1871, when both engaged to respect its in
tegrity. 1t remained in safe obscurity until
the other day, when French traveller, NJ
Guigues paid visit and brought back with
him the name of its capital of thirty-tive
houses and population Of $50 persons But
M. Guigues had discovered Counani, the
people of that place had also found out from
his visit their need of king or president,
and they begged NJ. Guigues to become their
first president or the founder of dynasty
M. Guigues resisted the temptation; but on
his departure he promised to do his best to
discover a suitable person for this exalted
position. After the lapse of a certain time
he discovered in M. Jules Gros, of the Petit
Journal, of Paris, candidate not only
eligible for the honor, but willing to acceptit.
M. Jules Gros has now been proclaimed by
the people of Counani their first president
for no true Frenchman, of course would
think of becoming king; and as the Bra
lillian government has acquiesced in this vol
untary decision of its little neighbor, it is not
likely that NJ. Grevy will raise any objections.
French money is already current in Counani
and the French code is to be introduced.
There are Roman Catholic churches at the
three villages of Counani, Cachipour and
Mapa; but there is only one priest The
Journal Official is to be started, with M. Louis
Boisset, another Partisan journalist, las editor;
while, needless to add, NJ. Guigues, whose
modesty led him to decline the presidentship
for himself, is to be prime minister. 1t is
said that 500 Partisan families have expressed
their desire to emigrate to this miniature
republic which emulates the fame of San
Reno; but they are not to be allowed to go
till further experience shows what is likely
to be the future of this state.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
AN AERONAUT,s FRIENDSHIP.
How a Young French Officer Outwitte
HIS Prospective MOther-in-law.

How a Young French Officer Outwitted
His Prospective MOther-in-law.
GARNER, the French aeronaut, was about
to make his ascent from the Champ de Mars.
When all the preparations were complete
Lieutenant Ronset, an old friend of the bal
loonist, came up and whispered into his ear
my sweetheart is here, but unfortunately
she is accompanied by her mother. If
could only get to speak with her alone for q
minute the happiness of my whole life
GARNER smiled his assent, approached the
ladies hat in hand, and said to the mother
Madame, will you insure the success of my
voyage by kindly seating yourself in my car
for a moment?"
Mamma, feeling fattered, readily con-
sentod, but hardly had she taken her seat
than GARNER called out, LET her gop'
An hour and a half later the balloon
landed in Engheim, when GARNER wired to
his friend: Mamma safe aground; just
gone to lawyer to bring an action; hope you
have made good use of your time" -Neu
York Hercury.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
CURIOUS DISCOVERY.
What Was Found in Digging Drain
Near Exeter, England.

What Was Found in Digging a Drain
Near Exeter, England.
The E0ening Standard reports: In the
course of some drainage works being carried
out in a mansion of the Tudor period, occu-
pied by Mr.. Tucker, at Cowick Barton, near
Exeter the yorkmen at the beginning of
this week came upon stone coffin containing
bones. Further exploration revealed more
bones in a stone-walled grave lying in the
immediate neighborhood; some tiles, the
remains of leaden chalice, and coin. 1t
is thought that the workmen have brought
to light the site of the old Priory Chapel of
ST. Andrew, belonging to the Benedictine
Order. The priory was founded by the
Courtenay family, and passed at the time of
the dissolution of the monaseries into the
hands of the Russells, by whom it appears to
have been demolished. The remains i'll the
coffin are considered to be those of one of the
Courtcnays. The coffin itself, the position
of which is supposed to mark the site of the
high altar, seems to be of thirteenth-century
work. 1t is ten inches deep inside and two
feet outside measurement, two feet six inches
wide at the head, and nineteen inches at the
foot, and of some material like Portland
stone. The cover made of one solid block,
was cemented down, with a large cross on
the upper side. On the news of the discovery
being spread, crowds of people made their
way from Exeter and the neighbOrhood to
the spot and it is already announced that
the coin has been carried off and the coffin
Clipped and carved with initials.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

The New York Commercial Bulletin's fire
record for August shows a total loss in the
United States and Canada of S8.317, 500
against S13,000,000 in August, 1886. The
average August losses for ten years have
been about 100000. The total losses for
the first eight months of 1887 are $S5, 245, 900,
against $76,9oO,000 for the corresponding
period of 1886.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
PICKPOCKETS.
Unfailing Signs by Which These Gentry
NAV be Discovered.

Unfailing Signs by Which These Gentry
May be Discovered.
I remember reading Houdin's Memoirs
some twenty years ago, in which that Won
derful manipulation told the public the secret
of many of his successes. He had been early
trained to intense observation, and so learnt
the habit of taking in every trifie. He also
mentioned one pOint-how to detect pick
pockets. He said pickpocket was trained
from youth to use his two first fingers early,
and he warned us to beware OF man who,
walking along the road, worked those two
fingers constantly. have often observed
this trait, and once was able to give the alarm
Just as the lad had watched was about to
insert his two first fingers into lady's
mock Dublin Freeman
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
Something Curious.

There is something curious about the
American silver dollar and halfdollars of the
coinage of 1904. In that year something
like 10000 of the dollars were coined but it
is singular fact, as is now known, that not
one of them was in circulation. Yet the
most valuable of all Americans coins are two
1904 dollars which are now in well-known
collections. They are valued at $1,000 each.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

Professor-Thomas, how many toed is q
toad?
Thomas Gnterrogatively-to gain time)-
Tree-toad.
mo, four. Its posterior feet contain five
You have evidently neglected your lesson.
-BinghomtOn Republican.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

A party of japanese have bought 400 acres
of land in the foothills near Campo Seco,
Calaveras county, CAL, and they propose to
irrigate through a mining ditch from the
Mokelume river and convert it into tea
farm. 1t is said that Japanese have expert
mented with tea in the vicinity and proved
it q success.-Erchdssge.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08
SPECTRAL GOLD.
TREASURE AFTER WHICH WEST
ERN MINERS SEEK.

The Strange Story of Lost Cabin and its
Dead Inmates-A Denver Tradition and
the Man Who Told it Large Mines
Which Exist, But Are Never Found.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-10-08

The lively pulse, the beaming eye
The vim of wakeful energy:
The form erect, the blood Alright
To thrill, to startle and delight.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-03-18
MEETING OF WILMA TARMERs' CLUB

Tho March meeting of wilma Farmers Club
was held at InRleside, the residence of Silas w.
Hollingsworth. Most OF the members were
present, also 9. ]. Moore, OF the Fallston club.
animated discussion as to the best method of
mending roads. The united judgment was in
favor of pking small portion of the roads each
year. Roads so repaired would be permanently
good. twas suggested that farmers living along
the roads should haul the stone from their fields
and place them upon the roads, they being COM
pensated for the trouble this would involve.
The committees who examined the farm, re-
ported buildings and general surroundings in
good condition, horses and cattle in fine order,
fine lot of corn was specially noticed and the
wheat was reported as comparing favorably with
that OF other farmers in tho neghborhood.
Since the last meeting at his house, Mr.. Hol-
lingsworth has put Il neat enclosure around his
garden.
The principal subject for discussion was: DO
field crops or those for canning purposes pay
best?"
Mr.. Samuel Bevard thought the tomato crop
more profitable to those living within two miles
OF factory, the expense Of raising two acres of
tomatoes being equal to that of raising three
acres of corn. Ground rich enough to grow from
80 to so bushels OF corn to the acre would yield
from go to 800 bushels OF tomatoes.
a. ID. Hollingsworth thought, AS canning crops
sometimes failed, IL was safer to devote only a
portion of the farm to their production reserving
land to grow grain sufficient to supply the farm.
+. Q. Norris said that the tomato crop paid
where farmer lived a reasonable distance from
factory, as the hauling was much heavier than
that OF sugar corn.
The new method OF road mending for FALL
ston precinct was also discussed, and finally
adopted.
The club adjourned to meet at woodsIde, the
for discussion: "Plows and Flowing"
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-03-18

s5y- Store House at Castleton for Rent
Large and convenient, with Dwelling overhead
An excellent business stand. Apply to Hugh
A. Jones, Castleton 2. o. 25feb5t